Table of contents 5280 December 2010

Europeans know their cold-weather treats. During the frigid winter months, you’ll find German grandmothers baking cinnamon-laced apple strudels and Italians popping into bakeries for an espresso and rich cannoli. In Denver, a few select pastry chefs are outsmarting the Mile High winter with flaky dough, creamy fillings, and genuine European delights.

As the Colorado Legislature continues to slash budgets, the state’s foster care system remains chronically underfunded. Something’s got to give, right? The thing is, if we don’t pay now, as the kids grow up, it could continue to cost us all a whole lot more than money. Just ask Erika Righter and Shawn Larson.

Anyone who knows Denver’s foul-mouthed, hyper-educated, perennially controversial nightclub king knows that he’s a storyteller. But whether you think he’s as fabulous as he claims to be—or merely a very entertaining fabulist—the one thing everyone can agree on is that the guy just can’t seem to keep his mouth shut.

Boulder's Pearl Street is a choose-your-own-adventure shopping destination. Spend one day in this neighborhood, and you can make a serious dent in your holiday gift list. Here, our guide to the stores on (and near) Pearl for everyone on your list, plus fuel stops and diversions to keep you in the holiday spirit.

When Pete Contos arrived in Denver in 1955, fresh off the plane from Greece, he didn’t have a dime in his pocket or know a word of English. He found a job washing dishes and worked his way up; today, the 76-year-old Contos owns eight dining establishments under the “Pete’s” brand, including the iconic greasy spoon Pete’s Kitchen. Along the way, he learned a thing or two about life, marriage, modeling, and barroom brawls.